Soundproofed shock-absorbed laundry floor



5' Shets-Shfat I 1 unllinl llllllll E. N. MURPHY Filed e t. 22, 1924 SOUNDPROOFED SHOCK ABSORBED LAUNDRY 'FLOORl Nov. 27, 1928. I

Nov. 27, 1928.

l 1,692,855 E. N. MURPHY I I l y SOUHDPROOFED SHOCK ABSORBD LAUNDRY FLOOR Filed se t. 22, 1924' 5 sheets-sheet 2 E. N. MURPHY SOUNDPROFED SHOCKVBSORBED LAUNDRY FLOOR v F11-'ed sept. 22, 1924 sfiets-sneet. 3 l :1:12 gli?, r L

Nov. 27, 1928. 1,692,855

a E. N. MURPHY SOUNDPROOFED $HQCK ABSORBED LAUNDRY FLOORl Filed sept. 22. 1924 k:s mts-sheet l4 Nov. 2-7, 1928.

y E. NQ'MURPHY SOUNQPRO'QD sHocx ABs'oRBED LAUNDRY FLOOR m W Y W Patented Nov. 27, i928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

` EVERETL N. MURPHY, OF'CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO STEVENS PARTITION &

FLOOR DEADENER COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLD'OIS, A CORPORATION` OF ILLI- NOIS.

i SOUNDPBOOFED SHOCK-ABSORBED LAUNDRY FLOOR.

Application filed September 22, 1924. Serial No. 738,984.

The present invention relates yto soundprooffloor const-ruction and to an improved method ofsound-irisulating oors. by dividing lthe floor supporting space into a plurality 6 of separated and disconnected areas or platforms, each of which may be carried upon a vibration deadening supporting structure. The invention also relates to an improved method of supporting sound-vibration gen- 11' erating mediums of different types or capacitiesv whereby the vibration absorbing or cushioning capacity of these areas or Iplatformswill be in proportion to the vibration capacityof the mediums carried thereby.

The manner in which my invention may vfind expression may be varied in many ways, but its contemplated application is to floors for supportingmachinery and the like. As an example of such application, the present embodiment is directed `to a sound-proof,

shock-absorbed laundry floor used particularly in hotel buildings, and other buildings requiring similar sound-proofing of certain parts.

Cushioning support-s have heretofore been used in the construction of sound-proof floors; for absorbing or deadening vibration to pre-l vent its transmission from one room to another. Under ordinary conditions, the provision of such cushioning supports has satisfactorily cared for such sound as is ordinarily transmitted from one room toanother, but where there is excessive noise or vibration such as would be experienced Where machinery is used, these cushioning supports do not prevent leakage of the noise or vibration. That is to say, they are capable of functioning within certain limits, and do it nicely, but, when excessive floor loads which tend to jar or rock the entire oorstructure are imposed, additional provision' must be made to absorb and prevent transmission of the vibration beyond the' particular room. l I- havegfound that the diiliculties, as existed heretofore, in overcoming the above, reside in the *fact` that no# attempt has beenlmade to check the vibration at 'thepoint where it is generated, and consequently, it is allowed to travel through the entire floor. Furthermore,

I have found that noise and vibration will travel along the floor to the Walls, if no break in the licor is provided to check this travel. Moreover, a sound-proof Hoor of this type may be made to function more eiiiciently by predetermining the load for a particular area and providing cushioning supports in proportionate numbers. to check the sound or vibration at its inception andnot allow it to travelalong the floor until it is absorbed as heretofore, this being further accomplished by cutting ott all physical contact between the particular area and the surrounding porltion of the door.

'the floor. In carrying out this construction,

it is highly desirable to have the floor surface of material of such characteristics that it will be water-proof and also elastic enough to resist the resultant fracturing tendencies, due to the operating machines or loads, and such as would occur if the floor were made of inflexible, rigid material (concrete or the like). In thedpreferred embodiment of my invention, the floor is constructed water-proof by the employment of a layer of material upon the sound or vibration deadening structure, which materialy inherently resists transmission of sound or vibration, due to its flexibility or elasticity, and which does not absorb moisture', being very reliable, in this respect, particularly because it is not subject to fracturing or cracking which would allow the Water to run therethrough to the structure below.

The present invention relates more particularly to the treatment of the supporting structure below this surface floor whereby loads of different magnitudes may be carried ywithout permitting sound-vibration to be transmitted farther than the supporting structure itself. Proper soundginsulation is, in a general way, dependent upon two things: insulation of the solids of the structure, and insulation of the dead air spaces. The latter is for the purpose of preventing the so-`called drum eect which is caused by the sound` waves traveling lthrough the confined air spaces to the structure below. With referenc'eto the insulation of the solids, the present invention is based upon the further discovery erating areas only;

tial to vthe main accomplishment of'this invention) the travel of sound-vibration be-` tween the floors will be efficiently checkedl particularly when the cushioning supports are spaced at intervals according to the loads supported. It is within the scope of this invention to space the cushioning supports carrying a particular load so that they will react as units in absorbing sound-vibration. Each cushioning support may comprise a plurality of layers of cattle hair, felt or some other similar material, for receiving cross strips, which cross strips are disconnected between units to prevent continued transmission of sound-vibration beyond the unit they comprise'. i

An important feature of the present invention resides in theprovision of a novel waterproof, non-shock transmittin joint employed between units (platforms), t e advantage of which need not be stressed in this description,

because its value will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. v

In order to apprise those skilled in the art, how to construct and practice my invention, I shall now described an embodiment thereof in connection with the accompanying drawings. f

In the drawings:

Figure l is a diagrammatic plan view of a sound-proof floor embodying my invention, the floor in this illustration'being totally disconnected from the side walls of the room;

Fig. 2 isalsoy a diagrammatic plan View of a similar room embodyngmy invention,

but wherein certainv areas or rooms are partitioned ofi" from the rest of the Hoor; e i

i Fig. 3 is a similar view of the same room, but wherein the floor i's not entirely disconnected from the side walls of the' room, being disconnected adjacent Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic lay-out'of the washing machine -platforrn, illustratingV the manner of spacing the sound cushioning su ports to carry the different loads upon' this platform; y f

Fig. 5 is a similar diagrammatic lay-out of the washing platformy which also illustrates' the spacing of the sound cushioning.` supports. It will be noted this' view and also in 4; that the lines representing the cushioning.

supports, whichv are 'arranged in rows, are

spaced at diiere'nt intervals according to the` type of vmachinery placed thereon;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detailcross-sectional view of the floor taken on line i'fiwhich in- I platform illustrated in Fig.;3' f.

mission of the same. posed between the upper iinishingiiioor and sound-vibration gentersects the portion of Lacasse machinery carried upon this platform being omitted in this view and also Fig. 6)

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the sound insulating structure'which absorbs the sound vibrations and tends to check furthe-r trans- This structure is interthe lower rough floor; Fig. 9 is an enlarged. detail'view of" the water-proof, shock-absorbing joint disposed between the disconnected areas disclosed herein;

Fig. 10 is a vertical cross sectional View of a chute passing through the floor, as shown in Fig. 3; and,

Fig. 11 is a similar view of the same chute, but being disconnected from the'floor in this instance, this embodiment being preferably in the floor construction illustrated either in Fig. l or in Fig. 2.

It will be understood at the outset that iioors other than disclosed herein, particularly of different types, and therefore, I do not intend to limit m! self toa laundry lfloor for use in such institutions as hotels, hospitals, and the like.

of the floor-.R

my invention is capable of embodiment inl In order to more clearly understand the fi underying principles ofthe present invention, wish to point out that the contemplated scope of this invention includes all floors adapted to carry sound-vibration generating mediums, `the presence of which on the particular floor will cause annoyance or ,disturba-nce to `adjoining rooms", and consequently, will necessitate providing supports sound vibrations and render the Hoor sounddeadening in nature. In furtherance of feature, it is not essential to this invention l which will check the transmission of the.

that the lentire .floor be disconnected from-2::

the walls of the room,- nor any particularportion of `thefloor be disconnected ,from the n surrounding sections. The essence of the in- 1 vention resldes mainly in the discovery that in order to completely sound insulate a soundvibration generatin medium from the ad disconnected'platform su ported in .a manner'to care from the particular load, should be made; l

areas A, B,",and C, thelatter two areas conf stituting in` effect, machineryA supporting platforms, upon which machines of different. typesmay be' placed.v vPlatform B, however,

is ntendedto carry inthe present disclosure .I

an iro11`e'rf1'which in some cases may weigh as much as 'twelve tons.'Y APlatform C is 'adapted to carry"washi ng machines' 2, tum- `blei3y and extractors 4 and `5.1 The space v6i e Aanelevator shaft, whichfor lthe purposes fftlie present descri tion' not-'considered 'apait' of` the room... o 'e'area's and machinery labove.mentioned may,v if so `desired-,1be laid ind out diierently to satisfy the needs of a particular installation. This Hoor is totally disconnected from the side walls 7 of the room. This is indicated by the line 8 about the sides of the room. Thus it will be noted thatat no point. is there physical connection between the floor and the walls 7. Consequently, any sound-vibration in the floor will not be transmitted to these walls.

The washing machinery platform C is diagrammatically laid out in Fig. 4, and is illustrated in cross section in Figs. 6 and 7. Discussing first in detail the general construction of the floor, it will be. noted that a lower rough fioor 10, preferably of concrete, is provided for carrying-the sound-deadening floor structure and the iinishing floor.l This lower floor 1() is preferably laid at a lower level for` this room than for surrounding rooms in the same building. This is not necessary, but is merely preferabie. This depressed fioor 10 is first mopped with a layer of asphalt as indicated at 11, and upon thel latter a layer of water-proof felt 12 is placed, which further receives a second layer of asphalt 13, the entire arrangement being such that the same is extended upwardly a short distance about the walls 7. as indicated at 10. The layers of asphalt 11 and 13 and the felt 12 prevent any moisture from coming in contact with the cement floor 10. Upper floor 14 preferably comprises a layer of mastic material which may be asphalt or material of like characteristics. In this connection, it will be remembered that the machines are mounted upon the upper floor 14, and the vibrations developed by these machines will be directly,

imparted t0 this floor. Itis for this reason that it is preferable to provide the floor 14 velastic and capable of absorbing a. certain portion of the vibrations imparted thereto. It this floor 14 were made of hard. rigid material, it would in no time be fractured and cracked and require replacement. Any cracks in the floor 14 would tend to lessen its water-proof quality by allowing the water to leak through the cracks to the structure below. The molecular adhesion of asphalt is appreciably high, particularly when it is slightly warm, and in view of this the {ioor tends to resist vibration without fracturing. A layer of matched and dressedplanks 15 serves to carry the asphalt iioor 14. A plurality of spaced stringers 16 are adapted to carry the iooring 15. The stringers 16 constitute a part of the sound-deadening structure which will now be described.

By referring to Fig. 8, it will be noted that these cushioning supports comprise two opposed U-shaped members 18 and 19. These members are s^cured in back to back relation and the arm portions thereof are disposed at right angles to each other. Airranged within the U-shaped members 18 and 19 are pads 2O which afford cushion supports for thestructural sustainin members as shown. As illustrated in this gure, such members comprise the stringers 16 and the cross strips 21, which are preferably laid transversely to the stringers 16. The cross strip 21 is secured between the padded portion 19 of the cushioning support and the padded ortion 22 of another and diiferently const1tuted cushioning device 24, the latter being provided with a supporting means 25, which is in turn secured to the floor 10. In the particular illustration, the supporting means 25 of the cushioning device 24 comprises apertured feet which are sunkinto the layer of asphalt 13 first applied to 80 the lower floor 10. It will thus be seen that the cushioning supports 26 lcomprising the padded portions 18, 19 and 22may be spaced as units along the stringers or cross strips 16,` and 21 at any desired interval, whereby-85 the cross strips 16 and 21 may e brought closer together to form a more compact` unit for supporting any particular area of the floor. The ability of any particular area to absorb or deaden sound-'vibration 90 will be dependent, of course, to a certain extent upon the number of cushioning sup. ports 26 employed. I wish to call attention to the fact that this particular structure of cushioning support 26 has been broadly 05 claimed in co-pending application Serial No. 373,181, filed April 12, 1920, and in practice these padded portions 18 and 19 are commonly known as the Stevens two-way chairs.

Referring more particularly now to the use of this structure for absorbing soundvibration generated by different mediums or loads carried by a floor s o that sound-villltl vbration will be intercepted at its inception, 105.

it will be 4noted in Figs. 4 and 5, that these cushioning supports are spaced at diii'erent intervals and in Fig. 4 this spacing is even diHerent in the same platform. I have indicated the cushioning supports 26 in 110 these igures by broken parallel cross lines, mainly because they tend to simplify the showing and render the sam-c more clear.

I have shown the area C in Fig. 4 to be of irregular formation. This area has been laid out to suit the needs of the particular installation, which required placing the washing machines upon a single'disconnected platform. Inasmuch as these washing machines are of di'erent weight and sound- 12 vibration generating capacities. it has been preferable to space the sound cushioning supports under each machine according to the magnitude of the sound-vibration it generated. The tumbler 3 is mounted upon l this area at the upper lett hand corner, as indicated at 28. which corner has been supported by cushioning supports 26 spaced apart approximately 8 in one direction and 6% in the opposite direction. Ad- 130.

jacent the vcorner 28, the flooring, as indicated at 29, is supported by cushioning supports 26 which have been spaced approximately 12 apart in each direct-ion. It is to be understood that these dimensions have been adopted for a particular installation and do not in any way enter into the invention except in so far asthey make clear the underlying principle of spacing the cushioning support at different intervals to accommodate sound-vibration generating medi,-

1 ums of different types. Parallel to the section 29 of the area C, the flooring is laid out particularly to accommodate a series of washing machines 2 and the extractor 5. Here again, the flooring is supported by cushioning supports 26 spaced according to the machines supported. The distances between the cushioning supports 26 in a longitudinal direction vary from 6 to 17 and are spaced approximately 41/2 in the opposite direction.

For the sake of convenience, a diain pan 30 has been embedded in the asphalt flooring 1'4'for receiving the drain water Afroin the washing machines 2. As illustrated in detail in Figs 6 and 7 this drain pan comprises a central depression 31, horizontal sides 32, and vertical flanges 33, which are countersunk in the asphalt floor 14 in water` tight relation. Thus the -drain pan 30 is securely locked in position. As illustrated in Fig. 7, a drain pipe 34 connects with pan 30, the former draining into a sewer main 35. A coupling 36 furnishes a non-physical connection between these pipes so that transmission of soundvibration at this point isI ,l prevented. The advantage of the drain pan 30 is that the water may be quickly and conveniently carried away by being allowed to drain into this pan, and consequently, there is no possibility of water leaking below the I manner of passing chutes or the like through the floor; in one case, totally disconnecting the chute 'from physical contact with the floor, and in the other case allowing it to contact with the floor in instances where there is little possibility of sound-vibration being'carried thereto through the floor. In Fig. 10, the

` chute 38 passes through an opening in the asphalt floor 14 and wooden vfloor 15, the asphalt being formed into a reenforcing ange 39 about this chute. In Fig. 11, the

floor 14 is provided with the reenforcing flange 39, but its opening is slightly larger than the outside diameter of the c hute to prevent the latter from contacting with the sides of the flange 39. A flashing 40 preferably of Zinc surrounds the pipe at the openover t-he flange, but not in physical contact therewith, to prevent the water or foreign matter from working through the opening illustrative of how various chutes, posts, or other objects, may pass through my improved sound insulated floor without destroying its sound insulating qualities, by being arranged in non-physical contact with the floor.

It is highly undesirable as before mentioned to allow the water to leak through the floor at the point where the areas B and C are disconnected from the remaining portions of the floor which according to the drawings comprise the area A. To positively prevent` transmission of sound-vibration from areas B or C to the area A, it is contemplated that the former two areas remain out of physical contact with the area A. Not only is' :he asphalt floor 14 and wooden floor 15 disconnected about the periphery of areas B and C from the area A, but the sound insulating structures carrying areas B and C aren likewise disconnected from the sound insulating` structure supporting area A. The latter is accomplished by disconnecting the cross strips 16 and 21 of one area from the cross strips 16 and 21 of the adjoining area. This is illustrated in Fig. 6. In view of the separation ofthe areas from each other and the Ving of the flange 39 and extends downwardly lUU desirability of preventing water from leaking between spaces to the floor below, my invention contemplates the provision of a novel form of water-proof joint whichv also possesses the characteristic of preventing the vibrations from being transmitted between areas. This novel form of joint designated generally as 40 is illustrated in detail in Fig.

9. As there shown, the asphalt floor 14 of area B is spaced from the asphalt floor 14 of area A. The same is true of the wooden floors 15 of these areas. `At the line of separation, a pair of channel irons 41 and 42 are embedded in the respective vasphalt floors 14 and are arranged with their backs facing each other in spaced relation. By being embedded in the asphalt these channel irons 41 and 42 are securely retained in position.A Adjacent thisl point wooden floors 15 are cut away as indi cated at 43 to vreceive the lower legs of the channel-irons 41 and 42, these legs; however, being adapted to rest upon a strip of vibration absorbing material 44, such as rubber or the like. To prevent a possible lateral shifting of the members 41 and 42, I have provided screws 46 which:` pass downwardly through the lower legs of these channel irons 75 Y to the space below the floor. This is merely and into the wooden floor 15. A similar strip of sound insulating material 47 is laid across the upper legs of the channel irons 41 and 42. Metallic bars 48 and 49 are then placed upon this strip 47 and are brought flush with the level of the asphalt. floor 14 by means of the screws 50 which also serve to hold these bars in place. The bars 48 and 49 are physically disconnected from each other, being spaced apart by a sound insulating strip 51, which may be of rubber or any other material waterproof in nature. Thus it will be apparent that this novel form of joint 40 not only prevents transmission of sound-vibrations between areas, but is also water-proof. The space 52 between the areas at the point of the joint 40 is suicient to allow maximum'vibration of either area without endangering the nonsphysical contact relation which has been provided between the same. That is to say, vibrations of neither area in no case allow these areas to contact at the point of the joint40. Furthermore, the strip 51 tends to resist any such extreme vibration and is iexible enough to yield to these vibrations without destroying its water-proof relation.

In the foregoing description it has been mentioned that the floor has been disconnected (out of physical contact) from the side wall 7 of the room. .This is accomplished by leaving a space designated generally 55, as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 6, 7 and 11. The

lasphalt flooring" 14 is terminated short of the side wall 7 and the wooden flooring 15 is alsoy cut so as to provide this space 55 between the flooring and the side wall 7. By virtue of this arrangement, it will be noted that any tendency of the dioor to transmit its vibrations to the side wall 7 will be frustrated by the provision of the space 55. It is immaterial so far as the essence of this invention is concerned how this non-physical contact between the flooring and the side wall is obtained. Spaces merely illustrate one manner of accomplishing this feature, but it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that different arrangements may ,be used as advantageously employed under different requirements of installation. A flashing 56, suitably fastened to the side wall 7 overhangs the integral upstanding projection 57 formedv about the asphalt floor 14. The integral proi jection 57 tends to prevent water from coming in contact with the side wall 7 and the flashing 56 tends to prevent the water from leaking through the space 55 to the-sound deadening structure below. Furthermore, the flashing will prevent any foreign matter from possibly working its way'into the space 55 and provide a physical contact between the flooring and the side wall 7.

The feature of disconnecting the flooring from the side wall 7 may be provided about the entire iioor as hereinbefore mentioned and as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, and again it may be provided merely for such platforms as i designated C, which lie adjacent the Walls 7. Furthermore, it may be provided for such chutes 38,01' other similar objects, so that these will not constitute the direct or physical connection between ioors. The essence of the present invention lies in the discovery that transmission of sound-vibration may be etec- 1 tively overcome by not allowing the soundvibration to transmit or carry itself any appreciable distance from the spot where it is generated. Consequently-the totally disconnected platforms B and C are suggested. I appreciate that other arrangements may be had for accomplishing this feature and thereforeintend to include the same in this invention. As I have before mentioned, my invention resides in the discovery that this such an arrangement` and that similar arrangements are possible and therefore should be included as coming within the scope of this invention. It is possible to employ a form of water-proof, non-vibration transmitting joint different than shown, and consequently I intend to claim broadly any form of joint vsound-vibration may be totally overcome by between disconnected floor areas which acv lcomplishes the same advantages as the joint vwill so fully explain the gist of my invention,

that others may, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt the same for use under varying conditions of service, without eliminating certain features `which may properly be said to constitute the essential items of novelty involved, which items are intended to be defined and secured to me by the following claims.

I claim:

1./ A sound-proof oor construction includi ing an upper finishing tloordivided into distinct, disconnected areas which are out of vibration transmitting contact with the walls of the room and which are supported on individual yvibration deadening structures out of vibration transmitting contact with each other and the walls of the room. l

2. A sound-proof iioor construction including an upper finishing floor divided into distinct disconnected areas, which are out of vibration. transmittingr contact with eachk other and the walls of the room, andAwhich are supported on individual vibration deadenlso , out of vibratlon transmitting contact with p other of said upper ioor.

each other, and cushioning supports bearing on said lower floor and providing a non-physical contact between said upper Iioor and said lower iioor.

5. A sound-proof floor construction including an upper floor and a lower floor, said upper iioor bein divided into areas which are out of vibratlon transmitting contact with each other, and cushioning supports vbearirng on said lower ioor and providing a nonphysical contact between said upper licor and Said lower ioor, said cushioning supports being spaced apart under each area according to the loads supported by said areas.

6. A sound-proof floor construction including an upper lioor supported upon a lower floor and arranged in separate areas to support sound-vibration generating machines whereby the vibration in the area below one machine is not transmitted to the portion of the floor below another machine, and a vibration deadening structure for supporting said upper iioor upon said lower floor, said vibration deadening structure including cushioning means for preventing vibration transmission therethrough from one area to an- 7. A sound-proof ioor construction including an lupper ioor supported upon a lower Hoor and arranged to support sound-vibration generating machines upon different porj tions thereof whereby the vibration in the portion below one machine is not transmitted to the portion of the floor below another machine, anda vibration deadening structure for supporting said upper floor upon said lower ioor, said vibration deadening strueture supporting the different portions separately in sound insulated relation and having cushioning means for preventing sound transmission therethrough to said lower Hoor;

8. A sound-proof iioor construction including an upper ioor supported upon a lower floor and arranged to support sound-vibration generating mediums upon different portions thereof whereby the vibration in the portion below one medium is not transmitted to the portion of the ioor below another medium, and a vibration deadening structure for supporting said upper floor uponsaid ly lower iioor, said structure being provided iny sectional parts for separately supporting Said "y n,

portions of the upper floor.

4 9. A sound-proof ioor construction comprising atupper floor supported upon a lower floor and arranged to support sound vibration generating machines, whereby l the@` vibration in the iioorbelow one machine is not transmitted to the portion of the floor n below another machine, y#a vibration deaden- \low another machine, a vibration deadening structure for supporting said upper floor upon said lower floor, said upper floor being divided into separate areas for supporting said vibration generating machines and said vibration deadening structure being arranged to support said separated areas so that they are out of vibration transmitting contact with each other, and cushioning means interposed betweenv and serving as a joint in the upper floor for said areas.

l1. In a sound-proof floor construction, Jthe system of supporting sound-generating machines u n a floor whereby the vibration in the oorlbelow one machine is not transmitted to the surrounding portion of the floor, which comprises providing' the iloor in separate areas, each area for supporting one or more machines, and supporting these areas by vibration deadening structures below' the floor, each of which is entirely independent of and disconnected from the adjacent vibration deadening structures, and arranging each of said vibration deadenin structures so that its capacity to absorb vi ration may be predetermined according to the loadl to be supported.

12. A sound-proof ioor construction, comprising in combination a plurality of disconnected floor areas,

sound-vibration generating mediums, a vibration deadening supporting structure for each area, said vibration deadening supporting structures each comprising a series of cushioning supports for a plurality of cross strips, a wooden liooring or the like carried by said cross stri s, and a iinishing oormg on said wooden ooring, said finisheach of which constitutes `a separate vibratlon absorbing platform for lOO ing flooring comprising a layer of mastic material having a high tenacity and a tendency to absorb sound vibration.

13. A sound-proof floor construction, comprising in combination a plurality of disconnected floor areas, each of which constitutes a separate vibration absorbing platform for sound-vibration generating mediums, a

vibration deadening supporting structure prising in combination a plurality of disconnected fioor areas, each of which constitutes a separate vibration absorbing platform for sound-vibration generating mediums, a vibration deadening supporting structure for each area, said vibration deadening supporting structures cach comprising a series of cushioning supports for a plurality of cross strips, a rough flooring on said cross strips, and a finishing flooring on said rough flooring, said finishing fiooring comprising a layer of material of high tenacity and tend-.

ing to absorb sound-vibration, and non-vibration transmitting means for joining said rough fiooring and said finishing flooring of each disconnected area, said means being countersunk in said rough flooring and said finishing fioor and flush with the surface of the latter flooring.

15. A sound-proof floor construction, comprising in combination a plurality of disconnected fioor areas, cach of which constitutes a separate vibration absorbing platform for sound vibration generating mediums, a vibration deadening supporting structure for each area, said vibration deadening supporting structures each comprising a series of cushioning supports for a plurality of cross strips, a flooring fastened to said cross strips, a finishing flooring comprising a layer of mastic material of substantially high tenacity laid upon said first flooring, and means preventing lateral transmission of soundvibration between said areas comprising a lpair of spaced parallel members having a cushioned mounting upon said first flooring and provided with means secured thereto for holding a strip of resilient material between the finishing fioor of the adjacent areas.

16. A sound-proof floor construction in-` cluding an upper finishing floor, the edges of which are spaced from the walls ofthe room, a vibration deadening structure forsupporting said upper fioor, and means protruding from said Walls and overlapping the edges of said finishing floor but out of physical contact therewith for serving as a protective covering for the space between said finishing floor and said Walls.

17. A sound-proof floor construction including an upper finishing floor divided into a plurality of areas, and a water-proof nonvibration transmitting joint connecting said areas.

18. A sound-proof construction including an upper finishing floor divided into a plurality of areas which are out of vibration transmitting contact with each other, and non-vibration transmitting means for joining said areas.

19. A sound-proof floor construction 1ncludingr an upper finishing fioor divided into a plurality of areas which are out of vibration transmitting Contact With each other, and cushioning means for connecting said areas together, said cushioning means comprising spaced parallel members and shock absorbing strips interconnecting said members.

20. A sound-proof floor construction including an upper finishing floor arranged to support soundvibration generating machines upon disconnected areas of the floor, said areas being spaced apart at their line of separation a distance sufficient to prevent vibration transmitting contact, and means for closing said spaces without destroying the non-vibration transmitting relation of said areas.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

EVERETT N. MURPHY. 

